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Category Archives: Graduate Education

Best College: What That Means for Us

U.S. News & World Report has ranked The University of Scranton among the top 10 “Best Regional Universities in the North” for the 26th consecutive year. U.S. News ranked Scranton No. 6 in the 2020 edition of the “Best Colleges” guidebook, which became available online today.

U.S. News also ranked Scranton No. 5 in its category in a listing, based on peer assessment recommendations, of the nation’s “Most Innovative Schools,” which recognizes colleges that are making “innovative improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology and facilities.” In addition, U.S. News ranked Scranton No. 12 in its category in its “Best Undergraduate Teaching” listing of the top colleges in the nation expressing “a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching.”

In national rankings, as opposed to listings by category, U.S. News included Scranton among America’s “Best Undergraduate Business Programs,” ranking Scranton at No. 224 in the U.S., and among the nation’s “Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs,” ranking Scranton No. 143 among schools where a doctorate is not offered. Also, in national rankings of all business programs in America, U.S. News ranked Scranton’s entrepreneurship program at No. 33, its finance program at No. 43 and its accounting program at No. 52 in the country.

In addition, Scranton was ranked No. 38 as a “Best Value Regional University in the North,” which compares academic quality of programs to cost of attendance. This is the seventh consecutive year U.S. News has recognized Scranton as a “Best Value” school. Scranton was also listed among the “top ranked” colleges where students do well based on “spirit and hard work.”

U.S. News slightly changed the methodology used in its rankings this year to include a first-generation student graduation variable among the data used to determine a school’s “outcomes” assessment, which represents 35 percent of the overall score. Other factors in the “outcomes” assessment include a social mobility score, freshman retention, graduation rates and graduation performance rates, which compares a school’s actual graduation rates with predicted graduation rates based on characteristics of the incoming class.

In addition, U.S. News considers a range of quality indicators for its ranking that includes peer assessment of academic excellence (20 percent); faculty resources (20 percent), which now includes regional cost-of-living adjustments to faculty pay and benefits; student selectivity (10 percent); financial resources (10 percent); and alumni giving (5 percent).

U.S. News categorizes colleges for their rankings based on the official Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classification of universities.

The 2020 U.S. News “Best Colleges” rankings became available online Sept. 9.

Why Our MHA Program Stands Out

Administrative Residency

As part of the MHA curriculum, students have the opportunity to complete a 1,000-hour fieldwork experience in a senior management position. Normally involves exposure to all major operating functions and contacts with department heads, administrative staff, and medical staff. Includes exposure to governing-board functions, governmental forces, and community influences. The resident is assigned projects of increasing complexity and importance and is expected to have an assigned preceptor. A major project is required. The residency is usually completed during two semesters. Prerequisite, 36 core credits completed.

MHA Alumni Council

Mission:

The mission of the Council is to encourage professional development, engage alumni to remain connected to the University, and recommend improvements to advance the University of Scranton’s Health Administration Programs.

Vision:

To advance the Health Administration Program by following St. Ignatius’ spiritual vision and tradition of excellence, while developing an alumni community dedicated to the freedom of inquiry and personal development fundamental to growth in wisdom and integrity of all healthcare professionals.

Student ACHE Chapter

Mission

Scranton’s ACHE Student Chapter is an independent organization serving the graduate student’s within The University of Scranton’s Health Administration Master’s program. Our mission is to meet the student’s needs for professional development, leadership growth, and educational advancement; to promote involvement with ACHE, and to sustain and improve the continued excellence of the graduate program.

Vision

To be the premier source for outstanding health administrators and committed to professional development, continuing education, and improving the healthcare industry.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Since 1995, the Department and MHA Program have developed international partnerships in Central and Eastern Europe and Asia. International faculty give guest lectures in classes, and students are encouraged to expand their global awareness and life experiences with other cultures. Specific coursework in the curriculum offers additional opportunities for students to study and engage in international activities. The MHA program provides graduate students with the option of taking a 3 credit elective course, HAD 517: Global Health Management, a 10-day study abroad experience. Currently, students have the option to travel to Eastern Europe or Brazil. The trip to Eastern Europe runs twice annually in late May and in early October. The study abroad to Brazil runs once in January during intersession.

What Does a DNP Scholarly Project Entail?

The Weinberg Memorial Library now has records of the incredible scholarly projects our DNP students dedicate themselves to during their educational experience.

The DNP program requires students to complete an evidence-based scholarly project. As described in the current DNP Student Handbook, “A Scholarly Project is the hallmark of the practice doctorate demonstrating an outcome of the student’s educational experience. The scholarly project embraces the synthesis of both coursework and practice application… Projects are related to advanced practice generally in each student’s nursing specialty, and the project must demonstrate significant potential to positively change health care delivery or improve outcomes for vulnerable groups, families, communities, or populations, rather than an individual patient.” Deliverables for the Scholarly Project include the final scholarly paper and a scholarly presentation, involving a professional poster and an oral presentation.

What Questions do you have about Obtaining a PA Teaching Certification?

Answer: Even if you never plan to teach in Pennsylvania, it makes certification in other states easier to obtain. Please refer to the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement.

Question #2: Is certification automatic?

Answer: Certification is not automatic. As students near graduation, they are to complete a formal application for certification. Certification is not a University of Scranton function. It is a state (Commonwealth of PA) function that requires an application.

Question #3: When do I apply for certification?

Answer: As students are approaching graduation, their next step is to apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) for their Pennsylvania Professional Educator Certification.

Question #4: How do I apply for Pennsylvania certification?

Answer: There are two processes required when applying for a Pennsylvania professional educator certificate. Students must

Answer: Students must register with TIMS by indicating their name, physical address, email address, username, password, and answers to security questions. It is strongly recommended that students view the TIMS online users guide for applicants, which can be viewed here.

Additionally, a certification information seminar is held once per semester by the certification officer at the University of Scranton. This seminar provides students with detailed directions on how to submit the online application as well as pertinent paperwork for the process. The certification officer is also available for one-on-one appointments to answer student questions and assist with the certification process.

Question #7: What about certification in other states?

Answer: There are two processes for pursuing certification in other states. They are the following:

a) Credentials review which involves a virtual checklist of required courses. This could mean trouble unless you planned carefully.

b) NASDTEC Interstate Agreement which is an agreement between states that

covers only curricular requirements

accepts Pennsylvania Curriculum as meeting theirs

non-curricular requirements not covered- Workshops
– Tests

Question #8: Whose responsibility is it to apply for certification in states other than Pennsylvania?

Answer: Students need to obtain the application and complete the forms. The certification officer will complete only those forms required as part of the interstate certification compact by the other states. It is strongly recommended that students who wish to obtain certification in a state other than Pennsylvania remain abreast of the certification requirements for the state(s) in which they wish to pursue certification. They can begin by reviewing the respective state department ofeducation’s website(s). Although the certification officer at the University ofScranton is happy to assist with this process, state certification requirements change frequently, and it is not possible for the certification officer at the Universityof Scranton to be aware of each state’s requirements.

Question #9: Who is responsible for certification at the University of Scranton and how may I contact the certification officer?
Dr. Vanessa Talarico is the certification officer at the University of Scranton. Her contact information is:
Dr. Vanessa Talarico
141 McGurrin Hall University of Scranton
800 Linden Street
Scranton, PA 18510
vanessa.talarico@scranton.edu
570-941-5810